Senate Bill 426 would make home or business owners liable for the wages of any employee working for a contractor at the owner’s home or business if contractor did not pay that worker.
“Digest: The Act makes laws about unpaid wages for workers who work on construction projects. Makes an owner and a direct contractor jointly and severally liable in a civil action for any unpaid wages owed to the unrepresented employees of the direct contractor and subcontractors at any tier. Provides the statute of limitations for actions regarding recovery for unpaid and overtime wages. Requires subcontractors to provide certain payroll records and other information to the owner or the direct contractor, upon request. Permits the owner and the direct contractor to withhold payment to a subcontractor in certain circumstances.”
So, if you have already paid the contractor or subcontractor, if they did not pay the people they owed, home and business owners would have to pay that worker’s wages again. And they can be held liable for those damages.
HB3362 seeks to impose a 4 percent excise tax on all new tire purchases in Oregon for the purpose of rail transit, tire pollution and wildlife crossing. No comments from the sponsors of the bill were posted on this site. However, there is a clearly explained aticle available at Oregon roundup
“This Act creates a tax on tires to pay for rail transit, tire pollution and wildlife crossings.
Imposes an excise tax on retail sales of tires.
Directs the Department of Revenue to transfer tax revenue to specified funds for purposes related to rail transit, tire pollution prevention and mitigation and wildlife passage infrastructure.
Establishes the Tire Pollution and Rail Transit Fund. Establishes the Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Fund. Directs the Department of Transportation to establish a tire pollution prevention and mitigation program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.”
It is scheduled for a public hearing this Tuesday, March 4th, at 5 pm
As Oregon’s families continue to navigate the rising cost of childcare, I recognize the hard work that parents put in everyday to balance work and family life. Ensuring that parents can find high-quality, affordable childcare is a priority that deserves thoughtful and practical solutions.
In the Oregon legislature, we believe in empowering parents and communities, not burdening them with unnecessary regulations. Our approach to improving childcare is rooted in the belief that families know best when it comes to caring for their children, and the government’s role should be to support, not control their choices.
Here is what we are focusing on:
Prioritizing Families and Flexibility
A strong family is the backbone of our communities, and every parent should have the freedom to choose the childcare solution that works best for them—whether it’s through traditional daycare, in-home care, or family- based childcare. This is why I support policies that provide tax relief and support for families who want to make the most of their childcare options.
Promoting Affordability
Childcare is expensive and hard to find; no family should be forced to choose between working to support their household or caring for their children. Through initiatives such as expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, we can help reduce the financial burden and ensure that families can keep more of their hard-earned money. I am also exploring solutions which can lead to a larger supply of facilities and more affordable and flexible childcare options.
Strengthening the Workforce and Supporting Providers
Childcare workers are a vital part of our economy and communities. We must ensure that they have the resources and flexibility they need to offer high-quality services, while also maintaining the freedom to operate and innovate. By supporting workforce development initiatives and providing tax incentives for businesses that invest in childcare options for their employees, we can help boost childcare availability and job opportunities in Oregon.
Together, we can create a childcare system that helps families succeed while ensuring that our children have the best start in life. I will continue working to support policies that empower parents, protect families, and strengthen our communities.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Let’s work together to make our district an even better place for families to grow and thrive.
Remonstrance Speaking on the senate floor regarding childcare. “A child’s future doesn’t begin in the classroom; it begins in the earliest years, with access to safe, reliable care. Supporting working parents and increasing childcare availability isn’t just an economic issue- it’s an investment in the well-being of our children.”
You can watch the YouTube clip HERE
Live Town Hall Get caught up on all the goings-on in Salem in this live conversation with Senator Dick Anderson and Representative David Gomberg.
The public is welcome to join in-person for a viewing at the Lincoln City OCCC Campus, 3788 SE High School Drive, 8-9 a.m. Friday, February 28. The event is also scheduled to be live streamed via Zoom:
https://oregoncoast.zoom.us/j/98367095358
How a bill become a law Last Newsletter I touched on the process of how a bill becomes a law through the legislative process. This week I thought it would be interesting to highlight the difference between the State and Federal Government.
Supremacy Clause The Supremacy Clause is a key element to the United States Constitution. Found in Article VI, Clause 2 states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties is the “supreme law of the land.” This means that if a state law conflicts with the federal law, federal law takes precedence. In other words, when there is a clash between state and federal authority, the federal government’s decisions, policies and laws will override those of individual states.
This clause helps maintain a unified legal framework across the entire country, ensuring that the national government has the ultimate authority in matters that concern the entire nation. The Supremacy Clause plays a crucial role in upholding the balance of power between state and federal governments and preventing legal conflicts from undermining the country’s system of governance.
10th Amendment The 10th Amendment of the United State Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights and states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
In simple terms, it emphasized that any power not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution is left to the states or to the people. This amendment highlights the principle of federalism, which is the division of power between the national and state governments. It serves as a reminder that the federal government’s authority is limited to what is written in the Constitution, and all other powers remain with the states or the people themselves.
The 10th Amendment is important because it protects the rights of states and individuals by ensuring that the federal government doesn’t overstep its constitutional boundaries. It’s a critical safeguard for preserving the balance of power in the United States.
State vs Federal While the federal government focuses on issues that impact the nation as a whole, states have the authority to govern local issues, which allows for diversity and flexibility across the country. This system of checks and balances ensures that power is distributed, preventing any one level of government from being too powerful.
Bills Here are some bills I am sponsoring that are related to Early Childhood Education:
SB 439- Says that building a childcare center in a place that provides affordable housing does not mean that a person building the whole place must pay prevailing wage, but building the childcare center itself does require paying prevailing wage for labor.
SB 561- Creates an Oregon personal income tax subtraction for childcare expenses paid by a taxpayer during the tax year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2031.
SB 567- The Act would create an incentive program for childcare. It directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish and implement a childcare provider incentive program. It establishes the Child Care Provider Incentive Fund.
SB 962-Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to administer a grant program to award moneys to tenants to update dwellings for use as a family childcare home.
In the News Revolving loan Oregon Announces 0% interest loans for new affordable housing construction- Last week the State of Oregon introduced a new loan program with provides 0% interest loans to cities and counties to build new housing. Read the full article at FOX 12 Oregon
KTVZ Oregon House, Senate Republicans outline education priorities, legislation this session- Read the KTVZ 21 article HERE.
Community Updates Nye Beach On January 31st, 2025, the residents of Surfside Village CO-OP, Nye Beach in Newport became resident owned!
Oregon legislation requires that when a park is put up for sale, the residents are given the opportunity to purchase the property first. Surfside Village was first put up for sale in 2015, however the owners and the committee of residents were unable to come to an agreeable purchase price, they were advised to wait and see if they could purchase again in the future. When the property was put up for sale again in 2024, they worked with Casa of Oregon for over ten months to make this possible.
There are currently 28 Resident Owned Communities (ROC) in Oregon. Unlike traditional manufactured home communities, ROCs are not subject to market-based rent increases and there is no profit margin in monthly site fees. This cooperative ownership gives homeowners the ability to control costs, improve facilities and make their own rules while providing the peace of mind of land ownership.
Community Spotlight Kidco For many children in our communities, access to quality early education can make all the difference in their academic journey and beyond. Head Start, a national program focused on early childhood education, health and family well-being, serves as a lifeline for those who might otherwise face challengers before they even begin their formal education. By providing a solid foundation in a child’s early year, Head Start doesn’t prepare them for school- it prepares them for life.
Kidco Head Start started over 60 years ago in Sweet Home and since then has expanded to serve around 450 families in 28 classrooms at 12 different sites and locations throughout Linn and Benton Counties. The Philomath location, which is in Senate District 5, currently serves 17 families in the area. Kidco Head Start/ Early Head Start is a free infant/ toddler and preschool program.
The infant/ toddler program serves pregnant mothers and their children to 36 months of age. Kidco is the only provider licensed for Early Head Start in Linn-Benton Counties. The preschool program serves children who turn three or four years old.
One of the most important goals that Kidco has is to help children become confident and secure learners. The philosophy behind their curriculum is that young children learn best by doing, supported by responsive, caring and knowledgeable adults. That can be seen firsthand when you step foot in their buildings. The educators at Kidco believe in the importance of play. Their classroom extends to the playground and there is no screen time when students are in the building. The children in the classroom go outside and play every single day they are at the facility- weather permitting. All the activities they plan, organization, selection of materials, and how they interact with the children, are all designed to give each child a successful transition into kindergarten.
All the staff that my Office Manager Sam talked to while she visited the facility last week had been previous families. They are all extremely passionate about their jobs and the gifts they have been given. Head Start doesn’t just help the children, but their families as well. There are so many programs offered for parents including financial wellness, mental health support and extra supports offered directly to the child and family through an Interagency Committee.
There are many success stories that come out of Head Start. The children and families are given the tools to set themselves up for generational successes. In conclusion, Head Start continues to play a vital role in providing children with the early education and support they need to succeed in school and beyond. By fostering a strong foundation in academic skills, social development, and emotional well-being, Head Start helps level the playing field for children, setting them on a path toward lifelong success. As we move forward it is crucial to ensuring that every child can thrive from the very beginning of their educational journey.
Learn more about Kidco and what they do HERE
If you have someone you would like to nominate for our district spotlight, please email my Office Manager Sam at [email protected] with your nominations.
Meet the Team Bryan Iverson, Chief of Staff Bryan Iverson
Get Involved The connection between people and their government is bolstered when the public has substantial opportunity to let their concerns be heard by their elected officials. Below are a few ways that YOU can join in on the legislative process.
OLIS- Oregon Legislative Information System- This is where you can find extensive details about every bill as well as follow them through the legislative process. This is also where you can view committee hearings online. Legislative Session Participation Guide- This is a wonderful resource with everything you will need to know about how to participate in the Legislative Session. Links to find your legislatures, how to follow bills and watch meetings, how to testify and visiting the Capitol. Capitol Phone: 503-986-1705 Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-303, Salem, OR, 97301 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/anderson
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox. To contact me, please click here: [email protected]
Representative Cortney Neron (D-House District 26) introduced a bill to that reads; “Permits an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and registered to vote to cast a ballot in school district elections.”
A quick internet search shows that ,indeed, 16 and 17 year old kids can register to vote but…
ORS 247.016 Registration of person who is 16 or 17 years of age
Subject to this section, an otherwise qualified person who is at least 16 years of age may register to vote.A person who registers to vote under subsection (1) of this section may not vote in an election until the person attains the age of 18 years.If a person who registers to vote under subsection (1) of this section will be under 18 years of age on the date of the next election held on a date listed in ORS 171.185 (Dates for legislatively prescribed elections) or the next special election, the person’s voter registration information, including but not limited to the person’s name and any identifying information, may not be disclosed as a public record under ORS 192.311 (Definitions for ORS 192.311 to 192.478) to 192.478 (Exemption for Judicial Department). [2007 c.555 §2; 2015 c.8 §8; 2017 c.468 §1]
No explanation is listed as to why she proposed this bill.
If you are reading this on Monday, January 13, the 83rd Assembly of the Oregon Legislature is now underway.
Opening day includes many formalities. The House will convene at 8:30 a.m. and the Senate at 9:30. The first order of business for each chamber will be the swearing-in of new and returning members. I often observe that on the first day, we get sworn in. After that we get sworn at…
The Senate will elect a President and the House a Speaker. We also elect a President Pro Tempore and a Speaker Pro Tempore to fill in when the presiding officer is not available to run the chamber meeting. Democrats will present nominations and the Republicans may do the same. The outcome of these elections is known in advance, as the majority Democrats in each chamber have already decided who they will support. I have been selected to serve as House Speaker Pro Tempore.
Session rules will then be voted on. And as the ranking member of the House rules workgroup, I will present that report.
Committees will be established and the bills filed in advance will be formally introduced. That will take time since more than 2,000 measures have already been submitted.
The Oregon Legislature begins its 2025 work on Monday, with just more than five months to pass a budget and tackle pressing issues including homelessness and housing, education, health and mental health care, highway funding and wildfire response. The 90-member Legislature must end its work by June 29.
While the reading clerks are going quickly through the list of bills, it’s a time for legislators to socialize a bit. Many of the new members will have met one another already during various orientations, but in many cases, it’ll be the first opportunity for returning members to meet new people from the opposite parties. Generally, only one guest is allowed on the floor with each legislator.
At 1 p.m. the newly sworn in senators and representatives, along with special guests, will meet jointly in the House chamber for further ceremony—speeches by the presiding officers and the Governor’s State of the State address.
Opening day is always one of pride and promise. It is a heart-warming, moving day for legislators, especially the new ones, who worked so hard to get to this point and are still a bit unsure about what lies ahead. But even for the veterans, it’s a very special day. And then the work begins.
Two thousand bills will be introduced on the first day and we can expect as many as 4,000 before we are done. That’s a lot! Most of these proposals come to us from advocate groups and constituents.
Mercifully, the very great majority of proposals will not become law. The pathway from introduction to adoption is a long and tedious one. About 500 bills, including budgets for more than 100 state agencies, are expected to make it to the finish line. So most will die in committee along the way. The main thing to watch for are deadlines.
The deadline for introducing any bills is February 25th. Bills introduced in the House must have a hearing, be approved in committee, and scheduled for a floor vote by April 9th or they are dead. If they advance to the Senate, they need committee approval and a full vote by May 23rd. After that, most committees begin to close down and the focus on the session turns to finalizing budgets. On May 14, we receive the final revenue forecast that tells us how much money we have. The session concludes on June 29th at the latest.
If there’s a bill that you’re particularly interested in following, or a committee whose work you want to follow, you can sign up to be on their email list. You’ll be kept up to date on any action involving the particular bill or the meetings and potential votes of the particular committee. The Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) has put together a simple primer on how to sign up. You’ll find it here.
Big news this week is the start of the session. But there is other news of consequence weighing on me as well.
The Oregon fire season has thankfully concluded. But we are all aware of the terrible fires in and around Los Angeles. I hope that by the time you receive this, they will have turned the corner and be on track to contain them.
Legislators received the following email Thursday evening from our State Fire Marshal, Mariana Ruiz-Temple. I have edited it slightly for brevity.
As you may have heard, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized a significant number of resources at the request of California to help with the historic fires burning near Los Angeles.
As of Thursday night, the Oregon State Fire Marshal sent 15 strike teams with 300 firefighters and 75 engines through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. This system is made up of 306 fire agencies and administered and managed through the Department of the State Fire Marshal in partnership with our Oregon fire chiefs.
All 75 engines and 300 firefighters mobilized Wednesday and headed to California. These resources are working for CAL Fire and will follow their processes and procedures. One of the processes that CAL Fire implements is engine safety inspections before resources are assigned to an incident. These inspections ensure all engines on an emergency scene are equipped, mechanically sound, and able to respond.
All Oregon resources are assigned to the Palisades Fire.
We remain in contact with our partners in California to assess their needs as they respond to this crisis. We are extremely proud of these teams and our support staff for the monumental effort it took to get them on the road so quickly.
We are also proud of Oregon’s reputation, sending the most resources to help during this time.
I extended to our crews the support and comments we have received from you thus far. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Thank you and take good care.
Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal
Crews from five Lincoln and Tillamook county fire departments gathered in Gleneden Beach on Wednesday before heading out to Southern California. Read more here.
Over the past five years in Oregon, we’ve seen historic wildfire seasons and California has been up here every year assisting us with protecting homes and containing those fires. Now California needs our help. I’m proud to say that Oregonians have once again stepped up in a big way, quickly sending the greatest number from any state to help our neighbors to the South.
Local crews deployed to California include Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Philomath Fire and Rescue, Monroe, Depoe Bay, and Newport.
The firefighters will be deployed for up to 14 days and are protecting homes and other buildings. The teams will be patrolling for hotspots and working alongside CAL Fire and other state and federal agencies.
One of my primary concerns as a state representative is your cost of living. And that certainly includes the cost of essentials like electric power.
In December, the three-member Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to approve Pacific Power’s latest request to raise residential electricity rates by nearly 10% in 2025. The rates are lower than the company requested. Pacific Power in September petitioned to raise rates by nearly 11% in 2025.
PacifiCorp is the state’s second-largest investor-owned electric utility and serves about 574,000 customers – including much of HD 10.
The PUC has approved rate hikes nearly every year for the past four years, and today Pacific Power customers pay 50% more for electricity than they did in 2021. That increase is more than twice the rate of inflation.
The company has sought rate hikes for several reasons, including rising inflation, building infrastructure for clean energy generation and storage, and higher insurance costs due to wildfires and wildfire recovery costs. The commission allowed Pacific Power to raise rates most recently, in part, to cover $25 million worth of restoration work following the 2020 Labor Day fires.
The utility set records in 2024 for disconnecting customers from power for nonpayment. From January to October, Pacific Power disconnected more than 20,000 households, up from 8,000 during the same period in 2023, according to the Citizens’ Utility Board. In response, the Public Utilities Commission will prohibit the companies from disconnecting low-income customers who are enrolled in bill discount programs between January and April so people are not left without power during the coldest months of the year.
The company has focused on wildfire costs as a reason it needed to raise rates in recent years.
The company was found liable for several of the 2020 Labor Day megafires that burned thousands of structures and took nine lives. They have spent nearly $2.7 billion on lawsuits since, according to a recent report submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The federal government has now been added to the list of plaintiffs, seeking reimbursement for costs and damages federal agencies incurred fighting Oregon fires. Other plaintiffs include businesses like the wine industry who assert losses from smoke damage, and hundreds of family fire survivors.
Pacific Power is owned by PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate. PacifiCorp is worth $10.7 billion, according to its attorneys, while the Oregon Department of Revenue and Oregon Tax Court calculate its worth more than $19 billion.
The U.S. Attorney General’s Office is seeking reimbursement for costs related to the Archie Creek Fire and the nearby Susan Creek Fire, totaling up to $625 million. PacifiCorp sent about the same amount annually to Berkshire shareholders in earnings prior to the 2020 Labor Day fires, Securities and Exchange Commission filings show.
So as we all struggle to pay increasing power bills, a fundamental question is evolving. If courts assess punitive and compensatory damages, who should pay them? Shareholders or ratepayers?? And what is the future of this investor-owned electric utility?
PacifiCorp and its parent company have been calling for regulatory and legislative reforms to limit mounting multibillion-dollar wildfire liabilities. At the same time, some Oregon lawmakers want to stop utility companies from raising rates on customers while those companies are still resolving years-long lawsuits over wildfire culpability and costs.
Stay tuned. There is much at stake.
I’ll spend much of the next six months commuting to Salem. That means fewer local appearances. But I did take time this past week for a few interesting stops.
In 2023, I worked hard to pass legislation to get more Oregon seafood into local restaurants. Thursday I stopped by the Central Coast Food Web (CCFW) to see one example of how that effort is evolving.
With a state-of-the-art processing facility, local online market, and business support for producers, the CCFW is strengthening our local, coastal and regional food systems by providing services and support to small, independent food producers and making it easier for all people to eat local food.
Senator Anderson and I spent three hours answering questions for the Oregon Coast Learning Institute, an organization of retired and semi-retired people who desire to continue their education in an atmosphere of shared learning. I also visited Able House, a new safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental health crises or emotional distress.
And finally, I spent time at a standing-room-only forum of community leaders, police and sheriff deputies, business leaders, and local families concerned about potential deportations, property rights, and the fate of their families in a changing immigration landscape.
This is a time of challenge and of opportunity. If I can promise you one thing about this new legislative session, it is that we will not solve all of the problems Oregonians have been struggling with overnight. But working together and focusing on the common values and goals we share, we can make significant progress on the challenges we’ve been faced with. I continue to believe we can make things better.
There will be a controlled burn at Cascade Head from February 26 -28, 2025. Controlled burning of slash piles on Cascade Head will be conducted to manage open grassland habitat by reducing woody material that was growing in meadow. Oregon Department of Forestry is engaged in permitting and any fire response needs. Please do not call 911 to report this fire. The Nature Conservancy’s Cascade Head trail will be closed Wednesday through Friday (February 26 – 28) for the safety of hikers and firefighters. This closure may be extended into the weekend depending on project progress. Trail closure signs will take come down when it is safe to visit the preserve again.
Cascade Head is located north of Lincoln City. If you see this fire, please do not call 911. This controlled burn will be visible from Lincoln City and along Hwy 101.
Oregon Department of Forestry has an interactive website where the public can see where controlled burns are taking place across the state. You can learn more about prescribed burns and the Oregon Department of Forestry daily burn plans by visiting their website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/burn.aspx
High Surf Warning Beginning: 2025-02-24T12:06:00 Ending: 2025-02-25T20:00:00 New Alert High Surf Warning issued February 24 at 4:06AM PST until February 25 at 12:00PM PST by NWS Portland OR * WHAT…Large waves and dangerous surf conditions. Breakers up to 34 feet. * WHERE…Tillamook County Coast and Central Coast of Oregon. * WHEN…From 4 PM this afternoon to noon PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS…Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off rocks and jetties and drown while observing high surf. Severe beach erosion may destroy coastal properties and buildings. Higher than normal water run-up is expected on beaches and low- lying shoreline
The upcoming vacancy of position 3 on the Lincoln County Board of commissioners should be filled with person who just received 13,027 votes in the recent election.
The recent election came down to less than one half of one percent. The difference of a 115 votes in an election where over 26,000 votes were cast demonstrates the wishes of Lincoln County voters.
Rick Beasley was endorsed by the sitting Lincoln County Sheriff for a clear reason. He is a Veteran that served our country honorably.
If you have seen a decrease in public safety over recent years I ask you to consider endorsing a voice on the commission that will make public safety a high priority.
I humbly ask that the over 13,000 Lincoln County residents that voted for Rick Beasley convey their expectations and requirements of our public servants.
Diversity is strength. The two Commissioners choosing the new commissioner should resist picking someone the voters have had no voice in reviewing. They should resist picking someone that is complicit in an agenda. It is my hope that any and all citizens of Lincoln County reach out and make their opinions and votes matter. Time is of the essence.
A bill has been introduced in Salem that seeks to create a task force to study whether or not the state is complicit in denying civil rights and opportunities to African Americans. No other race or minority group is listed.
According to House Bill 2995 “Sets up a task force to look at ways in which the state can give reparations for past acts of racism to African-American people who live in the state. Establishes the Task Force on Reparations and directs the task force to study and develop proposals for financial and nonfinancial reparations for Oregonians of African-American descent, develop appropriate methods for educating the public about the task force’s findings and recommend appropriate remedies based on the task force’s findings. The task force would look for the following:
” …The task force shall identify governmental actions that have resulted in harm to Oregonians of African-American descent in the following categories of systemic discrimination: (A) Enslavement; (B) Racial terror; (C) Political disenfranchisement; (D) Housing segregation; (E) Separate and unequal education; (F) Racism related to the environment and infrastructure; (G) Pathologizing the Black family; (H) Control over creative cultural and intellectual life; (I) Stolen labor and hindered opportunity; (J) An unjust legal system; (K) Mental and physical harm and neglect; and (L) The wealth gap.
The bill continues: (4) The task force may: (a) Identify methods for eliminating racial bias in employment and advancement, especially for Oregonians of African-American descent who seek public employment or promotion to higher paying positions in government; (b) Identify methods for eliminating anti-Black discrimination policies in artistic, cultural, creative, athletic and intellectual life; and (c) Identify individuals who should be compensated financially and with services, at no charge to the individual, that seek to remedy damage to the individual’s mental or physical health from anti-Black healthcare systems and treatments, such as forced sterilization, medical experimentation, racist sentencing disparities, police violence, environmental racism and race-related stress that causes psychological harm.
At this point this is only a bill-not a law and should it pass it will only establish a “Task Force” to study the issue.
SALEM – If you must travel, be prepared for slick roads, reduced visibility, and potential delays as freezing rain, ice, and snow are expected to create hazardous conditions across Oregon on Thursday and Friday.
This round of winter weather is likely to affect even low elevations inland and along the coast. Travelers should expect more snow at higher elevations across Oregon into the weekend.
Safe winter travel
If you need to travel, take these precautions:
Check conditions before you go. Visit TripCheck.com for real-time road updates. Some cameras may be down during severe storms, so check multiple sources. Adjust for conditions. Slow down, increase following distance, and be extra cautious on bridges, ramps, and shaded areas, which freeze first. Keep your vehicle winter-ready. Ensure your tires, brakes, lights, and wipers are in good working order. Stay visible. Turn on headlights, clear snow from windows, and watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Follow roadside message signs. They provide critical safety alerts and road updates. Use public transit if possible. Check schedules in advance, as severe weather can impact service. Don’t pass snowplows. Drive at a safe distance from snowplows and other highway and emergency crews, and wait until they pull to the side before you pass. Never pass a snowplow on the right. If you’re unsure about driving in snow and ice, consider delaying your trip or finding an alternative way to get where you need to go. Stay safe and be prepared for changing conditions.
Listen to the voters.
